Unitary drive for ice maker mechanism, defrost means and air flow means

ABSTRACT

A refrigeration apparatus having an ice maker adapted to be operated by a drive motor. Means are further provided for permitting the drive motor to run in the manner of a clock for timing the need for defrosting the refrigeration apparatus while permitting intermittent operation of the ice maker under the control of a bin level switch. The apparatus further includes air flow means for flowing refrigerated air through the apparatus such as for freezing water in the ice maker to form ice bodies therein. The ice maker mechanism, defrost means, and air flow means are driven by a single drive member, herein comprising an electric motor.

[ NOV. 13, 1973 UNITARY DRIVE FOR ICE MAKER MECHANISM, DEFROST MEANS ANDAIR FLOW MEANS [75] Inventors: Duane C. Nichols; William J.

Linstromberg, both of Evansville, Ind.

[73] Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, Mich.

[22] Filed: Sept. 30, 1971 211 Appl. No.: 185,133

[52] U.S. Cl 62/233, 62/234, 417/319 [51] Int. Cl. F25c l/04 [58] Fieldof Search 62/233, 234, 353,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,270,448 9/1966 Holzer200/37 R 3,675,437 7/1972 Linstromberg 62/233 VA'FIMT "MM 6 ta/vrtdL m11/1970 Jacobs ..62/233 5/1961 Batteiger ..62/234 PrimaryExaminer-William E. Wayner Assistant Examiner-William E. Tapolcai, Jr.Attorney-James S. Nettleton et a1.

[ 5 7 ABSTRACT A refrigeration apparatus having an ice maker adapted tobe operated by a drive motor. Means are further provided for permittingthe drive motor to run in the manner of a clock for timing the need fordefrosting the refrigeration apparatus while permitting intermittentoperation of the ice maker under the control of a bin level switch. Theapparatus further includes air flow means for flowing refrigerated airthrough the apparatus such as for freezing water in the ice maker toform ice bodies therein. The ice maker mechanism, defrost means, and airflow means are driven by a single drive member, herein comprising anelectric motor.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures UNITARY DRIVE FOR ICE MAKER MECHANISM,DEFROST MEANS AND AIR FLOW MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field ofthe-Invention This invention relates to refrigeration apparatus and inparticular to refrigeration apparatus provided with an automatic icemaker, automatic defrost means and forced air circulation means.

2. Description of the Prior Art One improved form of refrigerationapparatus having automatic means for making and harvesting ice bodies isshown in our copendin'g application for US. Ser. No. 223,716 for a DriveMotor-Defrost Timer for Refrigerator filed Feb. 4, 1972, now issued onUS. Pat. 3,718,794 and downed by the assignee hereof, said applicationSer. No. 223,716 being a. continuation of abandoned application Ser. No.46,921 filed June 17, 1970. In the structure disclosed in saidapplication, an electrical drive motor is provided for operating both anautomatic ice maker and a defrost timer control. The operation of theautomatic ice maker is periodically interrupted when the ice bodies inthe collecting bin.

reach a preselected full level. However, it is desirable to operate thedrive motor substantially continuously, i.e., in the manner of a clock,to time the intervals between the desired defrosting operations effectedby the defrost control. The operation of the drive motor may, therefore,be actually continuous, or at least continuous during the operation ofthe compressor so as to have a clock based on compressor running timefor controlling the defrost cycle. These two different continuous timingoperations are conventional in the art.

In another well known form of refrigeration apparatus in which such icemakers are provided, air flow means are provided for use in effecting asubstantially frost-free operation of the apparatus. Thus, the air flowmeans effects a flow of all refrigerated air through the chamber inwhich the ice maker apparatus isdisposed to maintain the chamber at aselected refrigerated temperature as well as to effect freezing of thewater to form ice bodies in the mold of the ice maker. The flow of theair through the apparatus is such that the major portion of moisturecondensing in the apparatus condenses on the-evaporator as the coldestpart of the system, thereby effectively maintaining the exposed parts ofthe refrigerator in the refrigerator and freezer chambers relativelyfrost-free. The evaporator, however, must be periodically defrosted toremove the collected frost and as discussed above, automatic defrosttimers such as that shown in the above-identified copending applicationare provided to effect such defrosting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends animprovement over the structure disclosed in our above-identified copending application whereby the drive motor is further utilized tocomprise the means for driving the air flow means. Thus, a single drivemotor may be employed in the present refrigeration apparatus foreffecting the periodic operation of the automatic ice maker, the timingoperation of the automatic defrost control, and the driving of the airflow means such as in effecting a frostfree operation of the apparatus.

The invention further comprehends the provision of means for selectivelydisengaging the air flow means from the drive motor such as during adefrosting operation to avoid circulation of warm air through therefrigerated chambers. The disconnecting means may comprise a camoperated clutch, which in the illustrated embodiment comprises amagnetic clutch having axially relatively displaceable driver and drivenmagnetic elements.

The invention further comprehends locating the single drive motor in thepath of air flow for further improved efficiency in operation of theapparatus by maintaining the motor at a relatively low temperature.

Thus, the present invention comprehends an improved low maintenance, lowcost structure providing the multiplicity of refrigeration apparatusfunctions discussed above in a novel and simple manner.

While the illustrated invention comprehends that the additional functioneffected by the single electric drive motor be the air flow function, inits broadest scope, the invention contemplates the utilization of thedrive motor not only for operating the automatic ice maker and defrosttimer control, but further for operating further devices in therefrigeration apparatus as may be desired.

More specifically, the invention comprehends providing in arefrigeration apparatus having an ice maker mechanism, means forperiodically defrosting the apparatus including a timer, and air flowmeans for circulating refrigerating air in the apparatus, drive meanscomprising a single electric drive motor, first means for connecting themotor to the mechanism for cyclically operating the mechanism to formand harvest ice bodies, second means for connecting the motor to thedefrosting means for periodically defrosting the apparatus, and thirdmeans connecting the motor to the air flow means for circulatingrefrigerating air in the apparatus to cool the apparatus and to freezewater in the mechanism for forming the ice bodies therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a refrigeration apparatushaving an ice maker mechanism, a defrost control, and an air flow meansdriven by a single drive member, embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary vertical enlarged section with the structurearranged for driving the air moving means; and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 but with the structurearranged for discontinuing operation of the air moving means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment ofthe invention as disclosed in the drawing, an ice maker generallydesignated 10 is shown to comprise an automatic ice maker mechanism 11,a defrost timing control 12, an air flow means 13, and a drive 14 fordriving each of the ice maker mechanism 11, defrosting timing control12, and air flow means 13. Herein, drive means 14 comprises an electricmotor having a stator 15 and a rotor 16. Rotor 16 is provided with driveshaft means comprising oppositely projecting shaft portions 17 and 18,as shown in FIG. 2.

The ice maker mechanism and defrost timing control 12 correspond to thatshown in our US. Pat. No.

3,714,794 discussed above, the disclosure and drawing of whichapplication is incorporated by reference herein for illustrating thespecific details of the respective mechanism 11 and control 12. Suchdetails need not be understood for purposes of understanding the presentinvention, however, it only being necessary to understand that thedisclosed structures are operated from a single output shaft of thedrive motor as disclosed in said application, in a manner identical tothe operation of ice maker mechanism 11 and defrost control 12 hereinwith the shaft 19 of the present structure shown in FIG. 2 correspondingto the output drive shaft of the motor of said prior application.

In the present embodiment, the motor shaft portio 17 carries a thin gear20 meshing with a wide gear 21 on shaft 19 for maintained engagementtherebetween notwithstanding an axial displacement of gear 20 by anaxial displacement of rotor 16 and shaft portions 17 and 18, as will bedescribed in greater detail here following.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, rotor shaft portion 17 is journalled ina suitable bearing 22 and rotor shaft portion 18 is journalled in asuitable bearing 23 for limited axial movement of the shaftstherethrough. Stator carries a bracket 24 having a brake flange portion25 disposed outwardly of bearing 23. The rotor shaft portion 18 carriesa drive hub 26 carrying a magnetic drive element 27 selectivelyengageable with a magnetic plate 28 carried on a cup-shaped fan bladehub 29 of fan 13. The fan blade hub, in turn, carries an annular brakeshoe 30 which is secured to a tubular portion 31 of the fan hub 29 bysuitable means such as screws 32.

The normal operating position of the apparatus is as shown in FIG. 2wherein the rotor 16 is disposed to the left relative to the centerlineof the status 15 with the shaft portion 17 engaging a low face camportion 33 of a gear 34. In this arrangement, the magnet 27 ismagnetically locked with follower plate 28 so as to drive fan 13 withthe rotor l6.'Concurrently with such driving of the fan, gear is rotatedso as to operate ice maker mechanism 11 and defrost timer 12 through theoutput shaft 19. In this arrangement, the brake shoe 30 is spacedaxially from brake flange to permit free rotation of the motor.

Thus, the apparatus 10 comprehends an improved refrigeration apparatuswherein a single drive motor 14 drives the ice maker apparatus 11,defrost timer l2, and the evaporator fan 13 in their conventional modesof operation. when defrost timer 12 times out to effect a defrostoperation, it is alsodesirable to concurrently stop the fan 13 therebyto prevent flowing of relatively warm air from the defrosting evaporatorto the various refrigerator chambers. To this end, the gear 34 isprovided with a high face cam portion 35 which is caused to engage theshaft portion 17, as shown in FIG. 3, by a suitable rotation of gear 34as by a gear 36 driven by defrost timer 12 to move the rotor shaftportions 17 and 18 to the right, as shown in FIG. 3, during the defrostoperation. Thus, the magnetic clutch defined by magnet 27 and followerplate 28 is broken thereby to discontinue driving of fan 13. At the sametime, brake shoe is urged to the right into engagement with brake flange25 to positively stop the fan 13 during the defrost operation. Thus, themotor 14 may continue to operate while yet disengaging fan 13 during thedefrost cycle.

The bearing means 23 journalling shaft portion 18 may comprise a pair ofbearings including blade bearing 37 and motor bearing 38 disposedradially inwardly of an oil cup 39 for effecting lubrication of thebearings. The braking action is effected by movement of the shaft 18axially through the bearings with the braking force being controlled bythe action of the spaced magnet 27 magnetic plate 28 structurecontinuing to exert a force tending to pull the fan hub 29 toward theright, as seen in FIG. 3.

The motor rotor 16 is magnetically self-centering so that upon movementof gear 34 back to the position of FIG. 2, the motor shaft portions 17and 18 will become again disposed with the magnetic clutch 27-28operative to drive the fan 13.

As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, other forms of clutchesand brakes may be employed within the broad scope of the invention.lllustratively, electromechanical or thermally responsive devices may beemployed for effective braking of the fan 13 and other suitablemechanical clutches may be employed for effecting suitable operation ofthe fan 13.

As the thin gear 20 maintains its meshed relationship with wide gear 21in all positions of the movement of rotor 16, the operation of shaft 19is identical to the operation of the output shaft of the motor in ouraboveidentified copending application. Resultingly, the automatic icemaking and defrost timing cycles disclosed therein may be identicallyeffected by shaft 19 in connection with the ice maker 11 and defrosttimer 12 herein.

Thus, as shown in the drawing and as discussed above, the presentinvention comprehends an improved refrigeration apparatus. Morespecifically, the present invention comprehends that the drive means foran automatic ice maker and defrost control comprises a single electricdrive motor having an axially movable rotor for selectively furthercontrolling the operation of the evaporator fan when desired.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of thebroad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

Having described the invention, the embodiments of the invention inwhich an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined asfollows:

1. In a refrigeration apparatus having an ice maker mechanism, means forperiodically defrosting the apparatus including a timing control, andair flow means for circulating refrigerating air in the apparatus, drivemeans comprising: a single electric drive motor; first means forconnecting said motor to said mechanism for cyclically driving saidmechanism to form and harvest ice bodies; second means for connectingsaid motor to drive said timing control of the defrosting means forperiodically defrosting the apparatus; and disconnectable third meansconnecting said motor to said air flow means for driving said air flowmeans for selectively circulating refrigerating air in the apparatus.

2. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 1 including means fordisconnecting said third connecting means during operation of saiddefrosting means.

3. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drive motor ispositioned to be cooled by the air flowed by air flowing means.

4. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 1 wherein means are providedresponsive to operation of said defrosting means for effectingdisconnection of said third connecting means for precluding operation ofthe air flow means during a defrost operation.

5. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ice makermechanism and defrosting means include control means disposed withinhousing means and said drive motor is disposed exteriorly of saidhousing means.

6. In a refrigeration apparatus having an ice maker mechanism, means forperiodically defrosting the apparatus including a timer, and air flowmeans for circulating refrigerating air in the apparatus, drive meanscomprising: a single electric drive motor; first means for connectingsaid motor to said mechanism for cyclically operating said mechanism toform and harvest ice bodies; second means for connecting said motor tosaid defrosting means for periodically defrosting the apparatus; andthird means connecting said motor to said air flow means for circulatingrefrigerating air in the apparatus, said third connecting meanscomprising disconnectable means for selectively operating said air flowmeans, and brake means for braking said air moving means upondisconnection of said third connecting means.

7. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 6 wherein said third connectingmeans comprises a first magnetic coupling element carried for rotationwith said air flow means, a second coupling element connected forrotation with said drive motor, said brake means comprises a fixedlypositioned first brake element, a second brake element carried formovement with said air flow means, said third connecting means furtherdefining means for selectively positioning said elements forconcurrently coupling said coupling elements and preventing brakin g ofsaid first brake element by said second brake element, or forconcurrently uncoupling said coupling elements and causing braking ofsaid first brake element by said second brake element.

8. In a refrigeration apparatus having an ice maker mechanism, means forperiodically defrosting the apparatus including a timer, and air flowmeans for circulating refrigerating air in the apparatus, drive meanscomprising: a single electric drive motor; first means for connectingsaid motor to said mechanism for cyclically operating said mechanism toform and harvest ice bodies; second means for connecting said motor tosaid defrosting means for periodically defrosting the apparatus; andthird means connecting said motor to said air flow means for circulatingrefrigerating air in the apparatus, said drive motor being provided withoppositely projecting drive shaft means, said ice maker mechanism anddefrosting means being connected by said first and second connectingmeans to one of said drive shaft means, and said air flow means beingconnected by said third connecting means to the other of said driveshaft means.

9. In a refrigeration apparatus having an ice maker mechanism, and meansfor periodically defrosting the apparatus including a timing control,drive means comprising: a single drive member; first means forconnecting said drive member to said mechanism for cyclically drivingsaid mechanism to form and harvest ice bodies;

second means for connecting said drive member to drive said timingcontrol of the defrosting means for periodically defrosting theapparatus; means for conducting refrigerated air to send refrigerationapparatus and said ice maker mechanism; and disconnectable third meansconnecting said drive member to drive selectively rotatable means foreffecting another function in the operation of the refrigerationapparatus.

10. The refrigeration apparatus drive means of claim 9 wherein saidmeans for performing said another function comprises means for forciblyflowing the refrigerated air through said conducting means.

53 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,771,319 Dated November 13, 1973 inventor-(s) DUANE c. NICHOLS ET AL Itis certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 7, line 4, insert "magnetic" between "second""and "coupling" Claim9, line 10, the word "send" should be "said" claim 9, line 13, insert"said" before "rotatable" Signed and sealed this 9th day of April 197M.

(SEAL) Attest: I

EDWARD M.P"LETGHER,JH. C MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. In a refrigeration apparatus having an ice maker mechanism, means forperiodically defrosting the apparatus including a timing control, andair flow means for circulating refrigerating air in the apparatus, drivemeans comprising: a single electric drive motor; first means forconnecting said motor to said mechanism for cyclically driving saidmechanism to form and harvest ice bodies; second means for connectingsaid motor to drive said timing control of the defrosting means forperiodically defrosting the apparatus; and disconnectable third meansconnecting said motor to said air flow means for driving said air flowmeans for selectively circulating refrigerating air in the apparatus. 2.The refrigeration apparatus of claim 1 including means for disconnectingsaid third connecting means during operation of said defrosting means.3. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drive motor ispositioned to be cooled by the air flowed by air flowing means.
 4. Therefrigeration apparatus of claim 1 wherein means are provided responsiveto operation of said defrosting means for effecting disconnection ofsaid third connecting means for precluding operation of the air flowmeans during a defrost operation.
 5. The refrigeration apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said ice maker mechanism and defrosting means includecontrol means disposed within housing means and said drive motor isdisposed exteriorly of said housing means.
 6. In a refrigerationapparatus having an ice maker mechanism, means for periodicallydefrosting the apparatus including a timer, and air flow means forcirculating refrigerating air in the apparatus, drive means comprising:a single electric drive motor; first means for connecting said motor tosaid mechanism for cyclically operating said mechanism to form andharvest ice bodies; second means for connecting said motor to saiddefrosting means for periodically defrosting the apparatus; and thirdmeans connecting said motor to said air flow means for circulatingrefrigerating air in the apparatus, said third connecting meanscomprising disconnectable means for selectively operating said air flowmeans, and brake means for braking said air moving means upondisconnection of said third connecting means.
 7. The refrigerationapparatus of claim 6 wherein said third connecting means comprises afirst magnetic coupling element carried for rotation with said air flowmeans, a second Coupling element connected for rotation with said drivemotor, said brake means comprises a fixedly positioned first brakeelement, a second brake element carried for movement with said air flowmeans, said third connecting means further defining means forselectively positioning said elements for concurrently coupling saidcoupling elements and preventing braking of said first brake element bysaid second brake element, or for concurrently uncoupling said couplingelements and causing braking of said first brake element by said secondbrake element.
 8. In a refrigeration apparatus having an ice makermechanism, means for periodically defrosting the apparatus including atimer, and air flow means for circulating refrigerating air in theapparatus, drive means comprising: a single electric drive motor; firstmeans for connecting said motor to said mechanism for cyclicallyoperating said mechanism to form and harvest ice bodies; second meansfor connecting said motor to said defrosting means for periodicallydefrosting the apparatus; and third means connecting said motor to saidair flow means for circulating refrigerating air in the apparatus, saiddrive motor being provided with oppositely projecting drive shaft means,said ice maker mechanism and defrosting means being connected by saidfirst and second connecting means to one of said drive shaft means, andsaid air flow means being connected by said third connecting means tothe other of said drive shaft means.
 9. In a refrigeration apparatushaving an ice maker mechanism, and means for periodically defrosting theapparatus including a timing control, drive means comprising: a singledrive member; first means for connecting said drive member to saidmechanism for cyclically driving said mechanism to form and harvest icebodies; second means for connecting said drive member to drive saidtiming control of the defrosting means for periodically defrosting theapparatus; means for conducting refrigerated air to send refrigerationapparatus and said ice maker mechanism; and disconnectable third meansconnecting said drive member to drive selectively rotatable means foreffecting another function in the operation of the refrigerationapparatus.
 10. The refrigeration apparatus drive means of claim 9wherein said means for performing said another function comprises meansfor forcibly flowing the refrigerated air through said conducting means.